# NTSB LAX89LA190: Cessna 150D, N4276U, Vacaville, CA, May 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1989, 17:53 local (May 11, 1989, 00:53 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.349651, -121.930992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3497&lon=-121.9310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26404
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26404/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA190

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO ACCURATELY CALCULATE FUEL CONSUMPTION DURING PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION AND DURING THE FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG LOST POWER DURING CRUISE FLT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE INTO A SOFT FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE ALMOST EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4276U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060276
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William J. Moore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: 045, VACAVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,050 total, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 5 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890510011259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890510011259A), May 10, 1989: Cessna 150D, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Nosed over on forced landing in a field.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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